I’m Back in the First Grade of Elementary School, so I’m Going to Live Well

Sincerely‌

“Thank you very much for the ride.”

In front of Mizui-san house.

She bows deeply to my father, the driver.

“You’re welcome.”

My father smiles in return.

――It’s a magnificent house, isn’t it?

While my dad and Mizui-san were talking, I looked up at her house standing in a residential area.

It may not be a mansion, but it has a presence that differentiates it from the ordinary residential area.

I was convinced of her good upbringing to some extent.

“Thank you, Sho-kun.”

“No, I just saw you off.”

“I’m just saying thank you because I’m glad you saw me off.”

“…… Is that so? ――Then, um, you’re welcome…?”

“Fufufu, you’re welcome.”

Mizui-san giggled a little as I gave her an awkward response.

“I’ll see you again then.”

“Yeah, see you.”

She smiled and waved, and then went back to her house.

I waved to her until I couldn’t see her anymore.

Eventually, she disappears and it’s just me and my dad left in the dimly lit driveway.

“――Shall we go home?”

“Yes, we should.”

There’s no reason for us to stay here, so we’ll just leave early.

I nodded at his suggestion and climbed into the passenger seat of the car.

The drive went on for a while in silence.

I watched the streetlights go by and waited to get home.

I’m feeling a little sentimental because my fun weekend with my friends is over.

There’s no need to feel sad because we’ll see each other again tomorrow, but it’s the first time I’ve felt lonely since I’ve never hung out with my friends at home, so I can’t help but feel depressed.

“Do you miss Mizui-chan?”

“…… just a little.”

I wrapped the outside of my face in pretense and let my true feelings leak out.

The truth is, it’s not just a little.

“So――…… Does Sho like Mizui-chan?”

“That’s what my mom asked me.”

“Haha, I guess so.”

Why do parents care so much about their children’s love affairs?

I don’t know, I never had children in my life.

“So, what do you think?”

“Mizui-san is just a friend.”

I said the same thing I had said to my mother.

My mom didn’t agree with me at all, but my dad easily believed me when I said, “I see.”

“But Mizui-chan is not like that.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah. It may be uncouth for me to interrupt, but I think Mizui-chan likes Sho.”

I nodded as if it was something else.

I’m still skeptical, even though my father told me so.

I’m sure that even if she told me that, I wouldn’t feel it.

…… No, “fell” is not quite the right word.

It just I――

“You’re not taking her seriously.”

“――!?” 

I couldn’t hide my surprise at how right on target my dad was.

D-Did he read my mind?

Actually, everyone in my household is an esper except me…!

“I get that feeling from watching Sho.”

It was speculation by observation.

Well, yes.

I don’t remember being born and raised in such a mysterious family.

But the words were right on the money.

My dad was right, I don’t take it seriously.

I don’t take it seriously. In fact, I don’t think I should take it seriously.

I’m an adult, and she’s a child.

No matter how mature she is, that doesn’t mean she is an adult.

I tend to think of her favors as child’s play.

“That’s true.”

There was no reason to lie, so I nodded honestly.

“Why?”

“She’s a first grader, you know.”

“Sho’s in first grade, too.”

“That’s true.”

I could only nod.

I couldn’t tell him that I was twenty-eight years old.

“Dad is, you know. I’m not asking Sho to accept Mizui-chan’s favor. It’s up to Sho to decide for himself.

――I just think you should face it properly.

Even if it’s just an elementary school love affair or a child’s love affair, I’m sure Mizui-chan is serious about it.

That’s why I want Sho to be serious, too.

Even if Sho doesn’t accept Mizui-chan’s feelings, I want him to accept them.

I’m not saying this for Mizui-chan’s sake, but for Sho’s sake.

If the other person is serious, we must also be serious in our response.

It’s not good to be insincere.”

Dad advised me in a calm tone of voice.

It’s not good to be insincere, huh?

I thought it was right not to take her seriously.

However, if Mizui-san really likes me, would it be right for her to do the same?

She likes me, but she doesn’t take me seriously.

…… Sure, it’s insincere.

Even if I don’t change my relationship with Mizui-san, I’d better change my way of thinking.

I’m not going to kick her out of my life because she’s a child, but I’m going to take her seriously.

That’s all the sincerity I can muster right now.

AN: At this point, I haven’t been able to write the rest of the story, and I may not be able to post it tomorrow.

I would like to write a story that I am satisfied with, so I would like to have a little time to think about the rest of the story.

I apologize for the inconvenience.